Word Origin & History

ellipse 1656 (implied in ellpitical), from Fr. ellipse, from L. ellipsis "ellipse," also, "a falling short, deficit," from Gk. elleipsis (see ellipse), because the conic section of the cutting plane makes a smaller angle with the base than does the side of the cone, hence, a "falling short." First applied by Apollonius of Perga (3c. B.C.E.).

Example Sentences for ellipses

Hence the probability that all the orbits are ellipses is overwhelming.

By supplying the ellipses we can often discover the errors in a sentence, if there are any.

Man forms the idea of an ellipse, and ascertains the laws of ellipses.

They are ovals, or, to speak in technical language, "ellipses."

The book uses em-dashes as ellipses at the ends of sentences.

The ellipses of the planets have been and always will be nearly circular.

This point indicates the center of all ellipses to be drawn.

Their ellipses elongate and flatten again to the semblance of circles.

The orbits of comets are ellipses that are greatly elongated or parabolas.

There are many kinds of Ellipses in Homer; the effect of the figure is quickness.